Crypto Currency Con 2013 could be better described as a whirlwind than a typical conference. Its energy swept up people from all over the world and all sorts of backgrounds, but with a common purpose: how to transform the world through the revolutionary potential of crypto-currency.
From the first night, beginning at Bitcoin payment processor BitPay’s Atlanta headquarters, the energy was apparent. One attendee after another entered the fifth floor reception, instantly greeting and mixing with other Bitcoiners of various experience levels until the room exhibited an audible roar that was anything but dull. A quick welcome from the stage was followed by background music to accompany the food, drink, and ongoing business networking and introductions.
After several hours of cheer, the lights flicked in that characteristic “closing time” rhythm. It was time to move on. From there, several of the after-partiers, this author included, moved on to the Twin Peaks bar just up the street. Frosty pints were ordered and the conversation moved on to topics such as financial trading, bank regulations, dual citizenship, and the best ways to introduce Bitcoin to potential new users. After several hours, realization dawned that the conference started at eight the next morning and that it was one in the morning already.
In the morning at the TWELVE hotel, an efficient and cost-effective operation was already in motion by the time attendees arrived. Registration was a set of folding tables in the foyer, while another set of tables supported the coffee, tea, and water dispensers along with a selection of breakfast confections. All vendor booths were inside the conference auditorium; before the official opening, attendees mingled with the likes of Lamassu Ventures (Bitcoin ATM), BitPay, TruCoin, the Swedish KnCMiner, and Bitcoin Magazine. (Although when the official program began, it was rather difficult to tear those same attendees away from the vendors so that the speaker would not be drowned out.)
Jeffrey Tucker, organizer of the convention and of Mises Institute and Laissez Faire Books fame, welcomed everyone to the convention with a rousing statement of the potential that Bitcoin and crypto-currencies are unlocking, with the help of thousands of entrepreneurs and technologists around the world who finally see a payment system which cannot be co-opted and turned against the creators like so many other potentially liberating technologies.
As the day rolled on, one panel after another gave their presentations, with only a short break for lunch. Not one presenter was dull and all were informative in a way that only specialization and the division of labor can provide. Among the presentations that stood out, gauging by the level of applause, were the presentations by Invictus Innovations, BitPay, and the Life on Bitcoin folks.
Invictus Innovations introduced a new platform dubbed BitShares which is intended to replace all common Internet applications such as domain names, e-mail, and payments with a cryptographically secure platform comparable in scope to Android or iOS. BitPay announced that they now reach 200 countries (prior to this week’s announcement of flat-rate payment processing plans), and Life on Bitcoin announced that they were able to convince Simply Travel to accept Bitcoin which opens up a network of 300,000 hotels to Bitcoin travelers. Each of these announcements was roundly applauded by a knowledgeable crowd, fully aware of the goals required for mass Bitcoin adoption.
After a thoughtful and engaging afternoon, the conference adjourned to a nearby reception area, where liquor and hors d’oeuvres were served as the attendees mingled with the likes of Jeffrey Tucker and the CEO of Lamassu Enterprises, manufacturer of the Bitcoin ATM. From there, some good-byes were said and some smaller groups made their way to venues such as Meehan’s Public House to mingle with BitPay representatives and other like-minded folks. After a round of drinks at Meehan’s, several men at the table convinced a cute young waitress to give them not her phone number, but her email address so that they could send her Bitcoin tips via CoinBase‘s Bitcoin-to-email functionality.
Crypto Currency Con 2013 was a rousing success that brought together innovators from all over the world. The spirit was one of overwhelming cooperation and openness, a spirit animating both the open-source and libertarian mindsets which Bitcoin fuses together, and a spirit this author hopes will continue to animate the crypto-currency movement going forward as it transitions from hobby, to venture, to revolution, and finally to everyday business in an utterly changed world. Crypto Currency Con 2014 already seems just around the corner.
Tip Freedomwat.ch Staff with Bitcoin